“Why? Why will you not go? Most flee from me. In terror.”

“Isn’t it the best when people flee from you in terror? I know, I’ve always loved it. And that’s how I got my name Keita the Viper! But I do try not to abuse my ability to terrorize others. That seems wrong . . . somehow.” She stepped away from him. “Now, why don’t you get dressed and meet me in Bolormaa’s tent. My cousin should be waking up soon.”

Keita started to walk out but stopped, and kissed Batu on the cheek.

“You and I are going to be such good friends.”

* * *

Batu put on his clothes and his weapons and walked out of his tent just as Nergi the Knowing was about to walk in.

The older tribesman bowed before Batu. “Great Leader—”

“Stop bowing and just tell me what you found out. I have to go meet that crazed bitch in Bolormaa’s tent and I need something to help me manage her.”

“I’ve found a long list of many Lady Keitas, but without a family name or—”

“Wait.” Batu thought a moment. “She said her name was Keita the . . . the . . . Viper. Yes! Keita the Viper. Does that help you?”

Nergi stepped back. “Are you sure, Great—”

“Of course, I am sure. Why?”

“Then she is no lady, Great Leader. She is a She-dragon.”

“So? We’ve had dealings with the dragons before, Nergi.”

“We have had dealings with dragons from our lands. She is not an Eastland dragon . . . and Keita the Viper is not her entire name.”

“Her entire name?”

“Her entire name, Great Leader, is Keita the Red Viper Dragon of Despair and Death. She has destroyed whole towns. She has eaten people. She is a princess and the daughter of Rhiannon the White, the Dragon Queen. And if Rhiannon is her mother, Great Leader—”

“Then,” Batu finished for Nergi, “she is a Southland dragon.”

“Yes. And that means this entire region is in great danger.”

* * *

The steps leading up to the palace seemed never-ending.

Why all the steps? Was it because the Eastland dragons thought that humans would just give up halfway and they’d never have to see them?

It made sense, when Aidan analyzed it. That’s why Rhiannon’s throne was in the highest mountain in the Southland area. So that she and her predecessors never had to deal with random visits from humans.

“I’m tired,” Caswyn complained.

“Keep walking. We’re almost there.”

“Come, dragons!” Zoya Kolesova cheered as she jogged by them. “You are not so weak you cannot get up little stairs, are you?”

“Can we beat her to death?” Caswyn asked, watching Zoya easily reach the top without any real effort.

“Yes,” Kachka and Nina said together as they passed Aidan and his brothers.

When Aidan finally reached the last step, Zoya had her hands on her hips and was looking up at the palace.